Today we’re talking about Pharma Social Media with Ritesh Patel, EVP and Chief Digital Officer of Ogilvy CommonHealth Worldwide. During our conversation we discussed handling a PR crisis, being a digital evangelist and getting the C-Suite on board with social media. Listen to our conversation or drop in at the time stamps below.

[00:00] Introduction[00:55] Meet Ritesh Patel[01:55] David Ogilvy & Ogilvy CommonHealth Worldwide[04:15] What kind of health are you serving?[05:45] Do you have a group that specializes in Crisis Management?[06:38] Industry response to bad PR[08:58] Hard to “put the brakes on”[10:11] Can you BE a digital evangelist in pharma?[13:31] Patients need information and Fair balance[15:58] COPD Foundation – Is pharma focusing on disease states?[19:00] Mayo Clinic – Must educate because so much information is bad[21:02] Patient communities[23:33] Are you doing more client work in open or closed communities?[25:15] Storyvine for telling patient stories[25:55] Why would a patient give a pharma testimonial?[28:00] How does the app get paid for?[29:16] Are you evangelizing to the C-Suite?[30:58] Is it “They don’t get it” or “They are afraid of it”?[32:09] Are digital budgets growing?[33:48] What about other health verticals? Are they using social media?[35:27] Are you doing work in health startups?[36:14] Are all the Ogilvy Health employees wearing wearables?[36:54] If you could wave a magic wand, what would you change?[40:41] Patient centricity model[42:19] Is the FDA active in social media?
44:41 Social Media Tip: Carol Bush, RN – Tip for Nurse Bloggers